As Summer approaches you might notice an increase in messaging around you about getting your body “Summer Ready”. It might even be so ingrained in you that you have these thoughts even without experiencing the outside sources telling you. This messaging and mindset has us believing that something is wrong with our bodies if they don’t fit some ideal size or shape. We’ve been lead to believe that we don’t deserve to have fun and enjoy the warm weather if we don’t conform to these ideals.
This mindset doesn’t lead to better mental or physical health!
Our Bodies are Not Wardrobes
I get changing out the clothes in your closet based on the seasons and the weather. Obviously you don’t want to stick with wearing bulky sweaters when it’s 90 degrees oustide or shorts when it’s 30. But, that doesn’t mean our bodies have to change with the seasons. Changing your body to fit diet culture ideals just creates frustration, stress and a feeling of unworthiness. Plus, trying to control and restrict our food will have the opposite impact we’re looking for.
Thinking you need to have a “summer body” will create an unhealthy relationship with food and our bodies that leaves us malnourished and unsatisfied. Your body deserves to be treated well no matter what season it is! Your body and how you treat it shouldn’t change with the seasons.
How about instead of trying to change our bodies, we start changing how we treat and talk to ourselves? What if we do the things we love with confidence, knowing that we deserve fun and feeling good no matter what our bodies look like.
Free Yourself from “Summer Body” Pressure
It can be easy to get sucked into the cycle of feeling the need to “fix” your body, try, feel frustrated. give up and end up feeling ashamed before starting all over again if you’re stuck in diet mentality. But, luckily you don’t have to stay stuck in this endless and unhealthy cycle. You can free yourself from the pressures of external messaging and start tuning into you and what you need.
You can start following an Intuitive Eating lifestyle which is about, learning what feels good and works for you. It’s selfcare and self love, not feeling like you need to be fixed and punished. There are guidelines to help you learn to tune into and respect your body. There are not strict rules and pressure to be perfect like you find with diets/plans.
When you practice Intuitive Eating, you can learn to trust your body again and it’s ability to know what it needs to thrive. You can heal your relationship with food and your body. You can live a fulfilling life where you don’t need to hide or miss out. You can be comfortable and confident in your body while boosting you mental and physical well-being.
You won’t have to feel the need to achieve that “Summer Body” ever again!
Tips to Enjoy Summer in Your Now Body
The first thing you’ll want to do is to unsubscribe from diet culture. Stop following to the people and companies that are telling you that you have to look a certain way to be healthy and happy. It’s not true and they are looking for your money, they’re not concerned about your long term health.
Do you have friends and family that comment on your appearance or even their own on a regular basis? Instead of getting sucked in, you can change the subject, let them know that you’re not focusing on your body in that way, or simply remove yourself from the conversation or situation if needed.
Instead of trying to fit your body to the current fashion trends, even though you find them uncomfortable and self-conscious, choose clothing that you feel comfortable in. Find clothes that allow you to move freely and aren’t stealing your focus from things that are truly important to you.
When you begin to shift your focus from how you think you should look, into what makes you feel good in your body and enjoying each moment just the way you are, you will start to feel more free and confident. You will start to feel deeper connections with the ones you love in addition to a stronger connection with yourself.
Create a New Vision for Summer
Your life is created by your mindset, what you believe and what you value. Going beyond what your body looks like, what do you want your life to look and feel like?
Does a successful Summer mean more joy, more bonding and play with your kids, more connection with your loved ones and being more comfortable and confident? Does it mean being more present in the moment and what’s going on around you?
Living your life should revolve around what you look like. What really matters is how you experience life, how you feel and how you make others feel.
So, instead of holding yourself back from experiencing life fully, because you don’t think your body is ready for summer, start showing up this summer as you are, in the body that you have!
Want some simple steps to ease the journey ? Click below to get my free starter guide and start feeling good in and about your body
